A couple of years ago I received a gift of a compilation CD published by - don’t laugh - Barnes & Noble, called A Jazz Retrospective. It is a very good compliation spanning several styles from Louis Armstrong to John Coltrane.
One of my favorites from the disk is Blue Skies by Earl Hines and His Orchestra. Which brings me to the question.
Who is the vocalist? Her voice is terrific. Was she a guest singer for the recording session or a regular member of his band? I’ve searched the Barnes & Noble website and can’t find any info on the CD. Nor do the liner notes have any clue.
Well, the liner notes should give some details about the recording session. Date? Session musicians? If it’s a jazz compilation, it should credit the track source. Label? Album title? Throw us a bone, man!
Sorry, ArchiveGuy, the liner notes don’t give any hints - no date, session or anything. All I know it was Earl Hines. The liner notes don’t even say if it was one of his solo albums are with His Orchestra. I just assumed it was with the orchestra because it was not him on vocals.
The only Earl Hines recording I could find that had a version of Blue Skies on it and any female vocalist in the credits was this compilation of material from 1932-34 and 1937. The vocalist credited on the record is Valaida Snow. I’m not going to say I nailed it in one, but maybe this will help you get to where you need to find out for sure!
Does it sound like a 1929 recording? Hines had orchestras through the '40s.
Double curse on Ike!
(found her too late)
Hey! I just stubbed my toe! Ow!
You guys have been working on your curses, haven’t you?
Thanks for the help. I’ve been reading about her now that I have a name and she seems like a potential new favorite (up there with Nina Simone and Lady Blue). I’m off to Amazon to order some of her solo work.